Job Title: Peer Support Specialist - Certified
Department: Community Programs
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Reports To: Wellness Program Coordinator
Hours: M-F 8am-5pm includes some evening and outdoor activities
Location: Burney, CA
POSITION SUMMARY:
Under general supervision, work independently and together with Hill Country Community Clinic and Wellness Program staff and other community agencies to provide peer support services to help clients achieve wellness and recovery goals. The Peer Support Specialist provides compassionate, recovery-oriented support to individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, including some who are unhoused. This role is part of the Circle of Friends program, which emphasizes community integration, empowerment, and wellness. This position requires empathy, resilience, and a commitment to supporting individuals in their recovery journey. Training and supervision are provided to ensure success in this role.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be assigned which may become essential to the position.
- Assist the program manager with the administration and implementation of related wellness support programs.
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Provide peer support as needed to program participants.
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Facilitate support groups.
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Facilitate trainings that may include “Taking Action”.
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Collaborate with community businesses, organizations and service agencies to implement the program.
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Collaborate with clinical and case management staff to ensure continuity of care.
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Work collaboratively with program volunteers.
- Coordinate workshops for program participants.
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Assist in collecting and reporting data to county as required by contract, regarding the use of services and expenses.
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Assist participants in completing documentation, phone calls, and other coordination of services.
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Assist in developing a network of services, donations, and volunteers from community-based organizations to ensure continuation of the program.
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Promote self-advocacy, independence, and engagement in a meaningful activity.
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Support individuals in navigating mental health challenges and accessing resources.
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Assist in meeting all federal, state and local obligations regarding operation of the program.
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Assist the Program Manager in developing protocols, policies, and procedures.
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Assist in building trusting relationships with participants through shared lived experience and recovery principles and maintain a sense of teamwork among program participants, volunteers and staff.
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Provide transportation as determined by the Wellness Program Manager.
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Participate in and help facilitate community outings, many of which take place outdoors and occasionally in the evenings.
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Attend staff and team meetings.
- Promote Hill Country programs in the community.
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Attend designated community service provider meetings.
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Network with and maintain a positive relationship with other community service providers.
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Accurately communicate the Mission of Hill Country Community Clinic.
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Provide the message of the Agency’s Mission to others.
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Interface with other clinic administrators in a positive manner that reflects a team approach.
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Other projects and tasks assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This job has no direct supervisory responsibilities.
BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS:
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Adheres to Policies & Procedures
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Participates in team systems
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Performs duties ethically
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Maintains client confidentiality
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Demonstrates ability to re-prioritize duties as the need arises
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Uses time efficiently
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Be responsible for co-workers & client satisfaction
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Displays flexibility in accepting, changing or carrying out assignments
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Maintains a neat, clean & safe work environment throughout the facility
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Performs job duties in a quality manner
QUALIFICATIONS:
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education/Experience:
Must have knowledge of principles of rehabilitation, recovery and consumer empowerment. Experience as a consumer of Mental Health services is preferred as well as experience working with volunteers.
Certificates and Licenses:
CPR certificate preferred. Must have current and clean CA driver’s license.
Language Ability:
Must have excellent communication skills. Ability to speak publicly and one-on-one in an effective and persuasive manner. Ability to read, write, analyze, and interpret complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to listen and understand and communicate information.
Math Ability:
Must have intermediate math skills, sufficient to help clients develop budgets and manage personal finances. This includes basic abilities to add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
Reasoning Ability:
Must have very high reasoning skills. Ability to assess mental status and determine needs for emergency interventions or other forms of care. Ability to define problems, collect information, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Computer Skills:
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have good working knowledge of Windows operating systems, Microsoft Office Suite - Word, Excel, Outlook, and Internet browsers and related software.
Equipment Skills:
Proficient with standard office equipment including computers, copiers, fax machines, printers, multi-line telephone systems. Must be an experienced driver and comfortable driving with passengers.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The work environment is an indoor business office environment and health clinic, a vehicle for transporting clients, other office agency settings, schools, and the homes of patients, outdoor activities and occasionally in the evening. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate with normal business office, computer and printer noise.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee will frequently stand, walk, sit, use hands to write, and reach with hands and arms. Employees may occasionally climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds with assistance. Employees must regularly utilize close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
